Thomas, Gray buoy Bulls past Raptors

Apr 17, 2008 - 4:03 AM
CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Tyrus Thomas recorded a season-high 26
points and Aaron Gray added career-highs with 19 points and 22
rebounds to propel the Chicago Bulls to a 107-97 victory over
the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday in the season finale for both
teams.

The fourth overall pick in the 2006 draft, Thomas shot 9-of-13
from the field and 8-of-10 from the line for Chicago, which won
three of its last four to end the season.

The victory, however, may very well be the last for interim
coach Jim Boylan, who is expected to meet with general manager
John Paxson on Thursday.

"I had fun doing it, sitting in the head coach's seat was a
challenge," Boylan said. "Some of the experience was good and
some wasn't, (but) I do love the challenge so I hope to be here
a long time."

T.J. Ford finished with a team-high 18 points in 18 minutes for
Toronto, which earned the sixth seed in the playoffs and will
face the third-seeded Orlando Magic in the first round.

"Guys played hard and we wanted to finish with a win but we
didn't," Ford said. "I wanted to get in a mindset to (get)
ready for the playoffs and I did that."

"The main thing is that nobody got hurt," Raptors coach Sam
Mitchell said. "We did want to win the game and the guys played
that way. Everyone played hard to be ready for the playoffs."

Kris Humphries had 14 points and Andrea Bargnani came off the
bench to score 13 points.

Gray entered the starting lineup in place of Joakim Noah, who
was removed from the starting lineup after he was late to the
game after returning from a funeral.

Upon leaving the contest, Gray was given a pronounced ovation
from the crowd at the United Center.

"It was nice to come out at the end and get a big ovation, it's
nice to feel wanted in this city," Gray said.

Entering the fourth quarter with a 76-75 lead, the Bulls pushed
their advantage to double-digits at 92-81 on Thabo Sefolosha's
two free throws with 6:02 remaining. The reserves on both teams
then played out the rest of the game.